Porn virus used in Tasmanian bitcoin scam

Scammers are planting pornographic virus alerts to sell free anti-virus software, demanding payment in bitcoin to cover their tracks, with Tasmanians falling victim to the technical support scam.

Detectives say two northwest Tasmanians were using the internet when a pop-up pornographic image appeared with a message saying their computer was infected and advising them to call "technical support".

When the victims dialled the number the person answering the phone sold them anti-virus software, requesting payment by internet currency bitcoin.

Victims are directed to a local store where they can buy bitcoins and those funds are then transferred to another account.